ZNP and MPC endorse demand not to field Chakma candidate

Aizawl (www.zoramobserver.com): Two regional parties in Mizoram- Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) and Mizoram People’s Conference has strongly endorsed and agreed to the demand made by all Mizoram NGOs not to field any Chakma candidate in the next assembly election which is due next year. Other political parties including the ruling Congress are yet to make final decision over it.

The NGO Co-Ordination Committee, a conglomeration of all civil societies and student bodies including Central Young Mizoram Association (CYMA), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) and Mizo Students’ Union (MSU) had earlier demanded all political parties not to field any Chakma candidates in the upcoming state assembly elections.

The meeting of NGO Co-Ordination Committee held on Monday strongly appreciated ZNP and MPC for accepting its demand not to field Chakma candidate. The meeting further asked other political parties to make final decision on this issue.

The NGO Co-Ordination Committee, however, slammed BJP Mizoram unit for not giving any response and written intimation of its opinion over its demand and appealed the party to give priority to Mizoram and Mizo people.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla had expressed dislike for the NGO Co-Ordination Committee’s demand not to field any Chakma candidates in the 2018 state assembly elections.

Earlier in October, Lal Thanhawla, while addressing a political session at Congress Bhavan here said the appeal not to field Chakma candidates would not stop them from being elected.

“Whether we like it or not, two Chakma candidates would be elected either as an independent candidate or through a party ticket and there is a possibility of Chakma candidates becoming “king maker” one day if they are not treated carefully,” he said.

Co-Editor, Zoramobserver.com. Mr. Khojol is a journalist based in Aizawl, Mizoram. He writes for various national and regional media houses. In his free time, he can be caught reading books and watching movies.